Halifax professional dance company Votive Dance presents its newest project, Strike Tone, a contemporary dance work from Vancouver-based choreographer Vanessa Goodman.
Goodman began working with Votive Dance in 2019, but the project was halted two weeks before its planned world premiere in March 2020 due to the pandemic. It would later have its premiere in August 2020 as part of the Festival of Dance Annapolis Royal. This season’s revisiting of Strike Tone has allowed the artists to dive deeper into the work and to now share it with local audiences without pandemic worries and restrictions.
Strike Tone explores how body and sound can thrive and dissolve in space and time as seven dance artists – Kathleen Doherty, Michèle King, Jessica Lowe, Liliona Quarmyne, Julie Robert, Anastasia Wiebe & Lydia Zimmer – explore disintegration and formation to create a sonic and physical landscape.
“Vanessa and I first met in 2016, working together through a dance residency in Saint John, New Brunswick. We found a connection in working together, and from there, a relationship flourished, culminating into this week’s presentation of Strike Tone,” says Votive’s artistic director Kathleen Doherty. “It has been many years in the making, and we are all thrilled to finally be sharing this special project with our local community.”
Established in 2012 by Kathleen Doherty and Stephanie Mitro, Votive Dance has been under the artistic direction of Doherty since its inception. Based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, the company was founded to support and develop professional artists from the Atlantic region and to create more performance and choreographic opportunities for local artists. Votive Dance has toured across Canada and continues to support and develop professional artists from the Atlantic region.
Strike Zone plays at the All Nations Church (2535 Robie St, Halifax) from October 19-21. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.